Jang's Party

The birthday sign. I love any occasion to throw a sign up.




The birthday gal!


Dip goodness.


The drink/plate line.


Oh, the cake. Bliss for my boys.


Moments before Soren screamed, in reference to the cake, " I LOVE it!"

Tofu and broccoli in green curry.


Jang, Chon, and their friends!

Jang's 26th birthday was on Sunday. She invited a few friends, including Chon, and they cooked up an impressive Thai feast. The five of them grilled chicken, skewers, and corn (I got the charcoal grill started--my first time EVER. I had to do it twice because the coals died before they started cooking). They also made veggie spring rolls, veggie pad Thai, green coconut curry with tofu and broccoli, and finally, mango sticky rice. In addition to their contributions, I made a many layered black bean dip (I used plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream and I added roasted corn--both were terrific), mini quiche, and cookies. The two-year-olds at the party were most thrilled by the grape juice but the pinnacle of the party was the debut of Jang's rainbow cake. Jang had asked for a chocolate cake so Asher and Soren and I chose a lovely one at Costco. It dawned on me that the cake was really for Asher and Soren--no way Jang is going to eat more than a tiny slice. It was worth it.

The party was fun--a few neighbors and friends joined in the celebration. Asher and Soren had a blast staying up past bedtime.

We are so lucky to have Jang in our family. She takes tremendous care of my beautiful children and she is helpful and thoughtful. She regularly surprises me by loading or unloading the dishwasher or by doing other little things that make my life so much easier. After Jamie left she told me that she would work every Friday while he was gone. Can you imagine? She is such a blessing. EVEN on her birthday and after working so hard to prepare so many delectable foods she told me not to worry about the kitchen. She and Chon cleaned it all up. No remnants of a party existed at the end of the night. That, my friends, was an enormous gift.

We love Jang!

Mia's Debut!

This story is unbelievable and comes from my friend Molly, whom I miss TERRIBLY. She left Alexandria four years ago and this city just hasn't been the same since! We cooked and partied and explored the countryside picking fruit and eating said fruit. Molly is wonderfully charming and a fabulous cook. Sigh. The story of her second delivery to miss Mia makes me say, "No way!" Enjoy!

I was pregnant and due on Thanksgiving day in 2007. We didn’t find out the baby’s gender, and I was hoping the little kid would cooperate and arrive before it’s due date, so I could enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. At 7:45 PM on Sunday night (November 18, 2007), I was enjoying a homemade BLT when I started getting some strong cramps. I wasn’t sure if they were real contractions, but the baby was due in a few days, so chances were good that it would turn out to be labor. I didn’t worry about it too much, because the cramps were only happening every half hour. It was time to tie up some loose ends (like packing my hospital bag!), just in case.

The strong, spaced-out cramps went on for two or three hours before I decided this was the real deal. (Although Sam was still a bit skeptical that I was actually in labor, because I was bustling about as usual.) I put in a call to Mom to let her know this might be it, so she planned to hop the first morning flight. After getting loads of last-minute work done, I finally went to bed around midnight. The contractions were uncomfortable, so it was hard to sleep, but I managed to doze until around 2 AM. I had to distract myself at that point, so I took a long bath and shaved my legs, since I knew a roomful of people would have to gander at them in a matter of hours. I stayed in the bath for about two hours, timing my contractions. They were happening at random intervals of 6 to 9 minutes and lasting only about 45 seconds. The midwives and prenatal books had said that active labor contractions would slowly grow closer together and last about 2 minutes. I thought I still had a while to go before they organized and the baby came. Boy, was I wrong.

At about 4 AM, I awoke Sam from his beauty sleep and asked him to help me through the contractions, which were now getting really strong. He suggested we call the midwives’ office and our friends, the Croshaws, who were going to stay with Sebastian. By the time the answering service found the midwife and she returned our call, my contractions were 6 minutes apart and lasting almost 2 minutes. Sam was giving our midwife (Hallie Lyon, CNM) the run down when my water broke. Oh, no! I knew from my experience with Sebastian that labor went faster once my water broke, so I was a bit worried. Immediately, the contractions intensified and seemed unbearable. Hallie told us to get to the hospital ASAP, but when Sam hung up and tried to put my clothes on, I couldn’t even get off the bed. I told him we’d never make it and to call 9-1-1. He told me not to panic, because I was making him stress out. I told him I was panicking, because the baby was coming – call 9-1-1! He asked me if I was sure, because he didn’t want us to be embarrassed should an ambulance swoop in to the rescue unnecessarily. I was positive, I said. Sam put in the call to 9-1-1 at 5 AM, and I was rolling around on the bed trying to cope with ferocious contractions that were right on top of another.

In a matter of minutes, the firefighters arrived (Ladder 31, to be exact). Luckily, their female captain (Cptn. Terry DeRhoades) had delivered 20 other babies in the field. She and her crew of about 5 men, filled our bedroom. She was giving the orders, and the guys were surrounding my bed not quite sure what to do or say. I didn’t care who was watching at that point, because all I could think about was having the baby. At this point the EMS personnel arrived, but they were more than happy to let the fire captain take charge.

I think the captain was surprised to find that I was ready to deliver. Supposedly they receive lots of 9-1-1 calls from women who are in a lot of labor pain, but whose contractions are still 12 or 15 minutes apart, so they just send those women to the hospital.

This baby was ready to go. I pushed one time tentatively to make sure the fire captain could see the head. She gave me the green light, so a few pushes later, the baby was born at 5:14 AM, only 14 minutes after calling 9-1-1.

(Side note: birth is a messy ordeal, and luckily I had purchased a waterproof mattress pad for our beloved mattress a few weeks earlier should my water break at home.)

Sam looked down at the baby to declare the gender. The umbilical cord was down between it’s legs and it’s bottom was swollen, so he said, “It’s a boy!”

I said, “Really, it’s a boy?”

“No, wait, it’s a girl!,” he said.

“A girl? Really?”

Now we had one of each. Baby Mia looked just like Sebastian when he was born. She had lots of curly dark hair, blue eyes, and ten fingers and toes. She was perfect.

I was elated and couldn’t believe I’d just given birth at home in my own bed. “Au natural” had always been the birth plan, but not at home! I was on cloud 9 and kept thanking the emergency personnel for coming and offering them drinks. To which they kindly refused, and Sam lovingly reminded me that they didn’t come for a party. Sebastian had slept soundly across the hall through the entire ordeal.

The EMS team wrapped Mia and me up and wheeled us out to the ambulance. I was Chatty Kathy during the ride. Soon we were escorted to the ER and then Labor and Delivery (after a 10 minute wait for the elevator!). Nurses told me later that they asked each other why I even needed to come to the hospital. I seemed happy and in no pain. What a compliment.

A few hours later Mom’s flight arrived and Sebastian got to meet baby Mia for the first time. He was excited to see her for a minute or two, but cartoons quickly became his center of attention during his visit.

Mia Anne Smith

Born: Monday, November 19, 2007 at 5:14 AM

Location: 10614 Red Pine Ct. Charlotte, NC 28262

(Side note: Our friend Andrew Croshaw came to stay with Sebastian and had arrived just as the fire engine pulled up. Coincidentally, his wife Karilee had not made it to the hospital when giving birth to their daughter 6 months earlier. The EMS team had to deliver her at home, too. When my EMS team got the 9-1-1 call, the woman told her partner that she had delivered a baby in the same vicinity a few months earlier. Turns out it was Karilee’s baby and imagine their surprise when they arrived at our house to find Andrew here as well. Small world.)

Party

How I shared the baby news with my neighbors.






Asher checking out the sono photos.




A few of my neighbors stopped by this afternoon for a party to celebrate the baby girl we will have in October. We had mini quiche, caprese salad, mango salsa, veggies with herb dip, celebratory Wegman's drink (Blood Orange soda), and apple turnover. It was a feast.

Shocking

Within moments of putting the transducer on my belly the sonogram technician declared, "It's a GIRL!"

I screamed and cried and could not believe it! Just as I didn't expect twins I didn't expect a girl...but I am so happy. I get my baby girl! She is perfect and was so busy waving her arms and kicking her legs that it took an hour to get all of the necessary detailed measurements. I loved every second watching her amazing little body and seeing her adorable fingers and little toes. What a cutie cutes!

I feel extremely fortunate to be blessed with the miracle of TWIN sons and now a daughter. Asher and Soren have lifted an already wonderful life and made it exciting, amusing, and interesting. Now they get to look after a baby sister. What girl wouldn't love having twin older brothers?

I told Jamie (on the phone, of course) that it's remarkable to say that this is it--our family consists of twin boys, a baby girl, and us. It's perfect. I'm thrilled.

Two details attempted to strangle my absolute joy. I learned that my placenta is forward facing and is really, really close to my cervix. It's not a complete previa but unless it moves 2cm away from my cervix I wont be able to have a natural delivery for risk of hemorrhaging. The doctor said that 99% of the time the placenta moves because the uterus expands upwards and pulls everything with it, including the placenta. I have a sonogram scheduled in six weeks to monitor the placenta, which is great because Jamie will be home by then and he can see our baby girl.

The other rotten news was that my hormones tested high (three standard deviations above the mean) for inhibin, which means my chances for preeclampsia are high. Not the dreaded preeclampsia! I nearly choked on this revelation. I don't want a placenta previa and I don't want peeclampsia. The doctor said I may have to begin weekly stress tests but when I said I didn't have any stress tests with my first pregnancy the doctor said she would speak with Dr. Tchabo but that surely by the third trimester I would need weekly stress tests.

I ache, pray, desire, and hope for a regular delivery. I want this baby girl to trigger the labor process when SHE is ready to come. I want to experience contractions and that exciting rush to the hospital and the resulting madness that ends with a sweet baby girl in my arms. I don't want to be denied this experience AGAIN. However, I care only about getting my baby here safely and if that means I don't get a natural labor and regular delivery, then so be it. I just want HER.

I still tear up when I whisper to myself that I am having a girl. Two extraordinary boys and now a girl. Cheers!

I have a million baby girl nursery ideas. Framed vintage handkerchiefs anyone?

Academic Heroes

Do you have a favorite academic, historian, or biographer? If so, who are they? What should I read?

When Jamie and I were living in Bristol our friend Aaron introduced us to the writings of one Robert V. Remini, the premier Jacksonian scholar in America. Many people in the LDS community became familiar with him when he wrote a biography of Joseph Smith in 2002. I own one of his Andrew Jackson books and was absolutely thrilled by the writing and the portrait of such a dynamic figure during such a wild time in American history. Did you know that Andrew Jackson participated in MANY duels? In fact, his first ever duel took place in Jonesborough, TN, which happens to be the place my SIL is moving!

Anyway, I had the chance to hear Dr. Remini speak at the Census Bureau. He talked to us about Henry Clay and the Compromise of 1850. I was enthralled by his compelling ability to tell a story. He absolutely engaged his audience and made history completely relevant and important. My co-worker and I agreed that had we taken ONE class from him in college we would have become History majors.

Did you know that Henry Clay was supposedly MORE intelligent than Thomas Jefferson? Henry Clay was able to prevent cessation and Civil War through a compromise where both the North and the South gave a little and gave up a little. Daniel Webster said that without a Union there is no liberty--they understood the importance of keeping the country together. The compromise, a series of eight resolutions, delayed the Civil War by ten years, which gave the North time to develop its infrastructure and find a leader in Abraham Lincoln, both of which allowed the North to win the war and keep the county together.

Robert Remini was amazing. I wish that Jamie and our friend Aaron could have been there because they would have loved it.

Get thee to a Remini book! Did you know he is the official Historian of the US Senate? Did you know he wrote a book about The House (of representatives)?

Strawberry Fest

Last week we went to Shlagel Farm in Waldorf, MD to pick strawberries. Having just seen Lisa and Mike's freshly planted strawberry field it was exciting to experience what their farm will be like in all of its glory. Picking strawberries was actually a lot of work--mostly because it was soooo hot last Friday. Asher and Soren ate nearly every berry they picked and Asher was even fond of picking berries from my collection. We had a wonderful time--Chon and Jang joined us and we met our friends Kristin, Max, Aviva, and baby Max.

With my freshly plucked berries I made my first ever batch of freezer jam (super cinchy!) and I made a strawberry pie for Jamie. Um, the pie was fantastically delicious and simple. I cooked up a pre-made pie crust and once it was cooled I spread a mixture of cream cheese and powdered sugar (8 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup powdered sugar) on the crust. Next I put the biggest and brightest berries in the cream cheese then drizzled some of the freshly made freezer jam on top. That was it and it was delicious.

The Carter Family Fold

In beautiful Hiltons, VA is nestled the Carter Family Fold. The fold is a magical place where blue-grass and country music are performed every Saturday night. Jamie and I first went to the CFF when the seating was cobbled together with old car seats and the floor was good old dirt. Johnny Cash was still alive then and he was known to show up for unannounced performances and as much as we hoped to see him there--our chance never came. The Fold is a bit fancier now with concrete floors and proper seats but the delightful music remains full of joy.

Jamie and I were happy to take his brother, The Deuce, Chon, and Jang to the Fold. As soon as the music started I took Asher and Soren to the dance floor in front of the stage. Soren started to dance right away and found a clutch of little dance partners. Asher preferred my hip to the dance floor, which I didn't mind. I put my clogging skills to use and danced my pregnant heart out--I clogged so fervently that my ugly maternity shorts nearly shimmied off my buns. Oh the fun! We danced to the wonderful music of Ralph Stanley Jr. and were 'this close' (fingers super close together) to seeing his father as well.

If you get the chance, please enjoy the music and dancing at The Carter Family Fold!

HUNG

Our tall, tall ceiling proved to be my nemesis. I climbed up a very tall ladder and still the shock of the height made me realize that I was not brave enough to switch out the light fixtures. Enter Dilshad, the very happy and extremely polite electrician, who easily hung my chandelier. He originally quoted me $120 to do the job and even at that price I agreed because I just wanted my pretty piece of red hung. After completing the job in record time he charged me $60! He said it was worth more but that was enough. I think he was charmed by Asher and Soren and must have taken some pity on my pregnant silhouette.

I thanked him heartily and bid him farewell with a sparkling lemon soda.

Shortly after Dilshad left and the crustless asparagus quiche was put in the oven I went to work on hanging a gorgeous print procured from my mega talented best friend Ashley. It was a tough job for one person and I accept that it is crooked (Jamie or my mom can help me remedy that problem) but at least it is finally hung! I love it and admit that it pains me not to have it protected in a frame--it is rightfully our next piece to be framed.

Scary Bounce House

There is an end to Bristol photos--I've just been slow to share them all. As if the farm were not bliss enough, Uncle Farmer Mike and Aunt Lisa had a big bounce house for Zoe's birthday party. I thought a couple two-year-olds would be intimidated by such a massive structure full of MUCH bigger bodies but NO, not at all. Soren reveled in the chaos and was happy to be bounced like pip the mighty squeak by his older cousins. No amount of crashing and colliding could slow him down. The bounce house became scary once Gage would sneak out and turn the air off, causing the structure to collapse on its inhabitants. Terror I tell you! The first time Gage did this Soren was outside the bounce house and that already freaky clown face came crashing down on him. The second time Soren was actually IN the bounce house and he quickly retreated, telling me it was scary. Poor thing. The bounce house, however exciting, is permanently dubbed 'the scary bounce house.'

Last weekend we went to a friend's birthday party and they had a bounce house, which Soren quickly called the 'happy, tiny bounce house."

Hubs is GONE...Again.

Jamie and I said our goodbyes at the airport this morning. I was happy to take him and happy that I could see him off on his journey but I was sad to let him go. He will be back in six weeks but it's more than that...we'll miss the entire month of June, which is a special month. Soren, Asher, and I wont get to celebrate Jamie on Father's Day, at least not in person. We have much to celebrate in his generosity and goodness. Most disappointing is that we'll be apart for our NINTH anniversary. I am sorry that I wont get to wake up next to my Hub-a-Dubs, my Jamie, on the day that nine years earlier saw us married and sealed together forever. This will be remembered as the anniversary where the celebration took place in North AND South America.

I had hoped to get a sonogram before Jamie left but it was not to be. Jamie will miss the sonogram by FOUR days. My friend Sarah is coming with me because I couldn't bear the thought of going alone and not having someone to celebrate with me. I look forward to that phone call with Jamie.


I reminded Asher and Soren that daddy got on a plane and we wont see him for a long time. Soren said, "Six weeks mommy." He really listens, that boy. Six weeks. Jamie will have missed out on 15% of this pregnancy. I am going to look greatly altered when he sees me again! I will really be swollen with his sweet baby babe by the first of July.

I have plans to make this a remarkable time with Asher and Soren--it will be the last time as just the three of us and I want it to be special. I have prayed earnestly for greater love, patience, creativity, and strength so that I can provide double the parenting during Jamie's absence. My biggest obstacle? The demands of the home. If only I didn't have to cook and clean then I could give myself fully to my beautiful children but it is not possible. I'll do my best and find moments to linger among the marvel of my children.

My other plans? A weekend in North Carolina. Another weekend in Bristol. Best of all? A TEN day (nearly 11) visit from my mom. I can do this.